Harken 76 mm Midrange Hexaratchet Fiddle Block, Cam Cleat, Becket
- Brand:
- Harken
- Part no:
- 1566
Image: Fisheries Supply
Where to buy
Specifications
- Sheave diameter
- 76 mm
- Bearing
- Ball
- Becket
- Yes
- Cam cleat
- Yes
This is Harken's midrange Hexaratchet block, a 76 mm fiddle block with a cam cleat and a becket. The sheave is an eight-sided anodized aluminum wheel running on Delrin ball bearings. With the ratchet engaged and a full 180° wrap, holding power reaches 15:1, and the lever lets you switch the ratchet off in light air. The shackle locks in either direction or swivels freely, and the cam arms can be set to alter the angle the line enters the cam.
Our take
With the ratchet engaged the block holds up to 15:1 at a full 180° wrap, so a loaded sheet can be held with little hand effort. In light air the lever switches the ratchet off, so the same block can be eased freely.
From our buying guide
Ball-bearing blocks give the lowest friction on lines running under moderate loads. Plain bearings have more friction, but handle very high and static loads.
Check before you buy:
- A ratchet block is rated for the full sheet load.
- Any becket's load limit suits the job, since a becket can be rated below the block itself.
- A soft-attach block will be looked after, since Harken warns soft attachments are prone to wear and recommends them only for regularly maintained race boats.